This news item expired on 10/18/2013, so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.

Update on Swannanoa Car Breakins

Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested four subjects in connection with car break-ins in the Swannanoa area. Tyler Laughter, 18, of 125 New Salem Road, in Swannanoa, Christopher Effler, 19, of 465 Patton Cove Road in Swannanoa, and two juveniles were arrested.

The subjects are facing 15 charges each for their involvement in these break-ins; more charges are expected to be forth coming. They were arrested after Buncombe County investigators located the 1995 white, four-door Honda Accord that was identified as being involved in the break-ins, and executed a search warrant at 465 Patton Cove Road in the Swannanoa Community. All four subjects are in custody at the Buncombe County Detention Center.

The Sheriff’s Office initiated a concentrated investigation in the Swannanoa community after numerous car break-ins occurred within a 48 hour period. The perpetrators targeted vehicles that were unlocked during nighttime hours.

At this time 22 vehicle break-ins have occurred, and investigations will continue to determine if these teens are responsible for other break-ins in the area.

Sheriff’s Office investigators have seized all of the stolen property they discovered, and they are working diligently to return it to the victims of these break-ins.

If you are missing property as a result of these break-ins, please call the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 250-4436.

The investigation into these incidents is ongoing. If you have any information regarding these car break-ins please call Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Swannanoa business community and the residents of the area for their assistance and support and would remind everyone not to leave valuables in their cars and trucks, and to lock the doors to their vehicles.